In less than a month, the Ku Klux Klan plans a rally in Charlottesville, but residents are asking city council to revoke a permit issued for that event.
Charlottesville’s Mayor, Mike Signer, says the city will assure safety and civility when members of the Klan meet here in July and white supremacists rally in August.
"What makes us great is precisely the fact that everyone has a right to speak no matter how noxious their opinions are," he said. "The hateful and ignorant speech will perish through exposure to sunlight, and oxygen, and and facts."
But resident David Armstrong was one of seven people who called for the city to ban the Klan and white supremacists who have haunted Charlottesville for months. He noted Mayor Signer has called this city a Capital of the Resistance.
"Revoke this permit! Resist the siege of terrorism that is coming into our town," he told council members and the mayor. "Are you going to wait for another Richard Collins? Are you going to wait for another Portland? Mr. Resistance, do what you gotta’ do!"
White nationalist Jason Kessler also spoke – challenging the idea that the home of Thomas Jefferson should silence any views.
"None of you guys are for the first amendment, right?" Kessler asked. "Rescind the permit, rescind the permit. You guys aren't even liberals, because liberals believe in the first amendment."
The city has announced plans to organize other activities during the Klan’s visit and to dub July 8th Unity Day in Charlottesville.